Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless portable earbud model provides very good sound. Its non-isolating design doesn't muffle outside sounds so you'll be able to hear that door bell ring, train announcement, or car horn when you are wearing these earphones. The Sport Open Earbuds has a volume control plus an integrated microphone and player function controls. Additional features include Right earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications. Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX4). Free Bose Music for Apple and Android mobile devices adds additional features. Has programmable "shortcut" button that can be used to check earphone battery level. Has Bluetooth connection and battery level voice announcements. Supports mobile device voice control when used with Bluetooth connected devices that have that feature. Has quick charge feature: 30 min of charging will provide 3 hr. of playtime. Pairing memory for up to 7 devices at a time. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. Bose Music app download for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to enable/disable "shortcut" function, turn off voice prompts, manage paired Bluetooth device connections, check battery levels, and update firmware. The volume touch controls are disabled by default; the Bose Music app must be used to enable them if desired. This model comes with Charging base with integrated USB cable, carrying case. Free Bose Music app download for Apple and Android mobile devices.
Sound quality: We found the Sport Open Earbuds delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has decent impact, is somewhat prominent and boomy, and deep bass is lacking. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is even, but is somewhat hazy and grainy, a bit congested (think sonic traffic jam), and a touch soft. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended, but is somewhat subdued and smeared. The sound also has a subpar sense of liveliness and does a decent job of recovering room ambience; although this model does not cover the ears or block the ear canals it only sounds somewhat open once the audio program starts playing due to the somewhat subdued treble. Warmish character. The overall sound can best be summarized as somewhat bassy, hazy and grainy.
Comfort: We found that these earphones produce for users with medium sized ears a slight sense of pressure on the front of the ears (tragus) and a moderate sense of heaviness behind the top of the ear (pinna). Although it doesn't feel like it fits securely, it stays in place except during extremely vigorous head movement. For users with small sized ears there is a slight sense of pressure on the front of the ears (tragus) and a moderate sense of heaviness behind the top of the ear (pinna); the earphones may not feel like they fit securely, and they may not stay in place during anything other than casual use. For users with large sized ears there is a slight sense of pressure on the front of the ears (tragus) and a moderate sense of heaviness behind the top of the ear (pinna). Although it doesn't feel like it fits securely, it stays in place except during vigorous head movement. Eyeglass wearers will probably find that they interfere with the fit of the eyeglass temples behind the ears.
